Affordable warmth visits

The council has partnered with AgilityEco to deliver LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) visits.

LEAP is a free of charge service for fuel poor and vulnerable residents, offering important advice, support and free energy saving measures.

During the LEAP home visit, households are provided with energy efficiency advice. LEAP Home Energy Advisors are trained to find and remedy obvious energy wastage in the house by fitting suitable energy saving devices such as radiator panels, chimney balloons, LED light bulbs, and door and window draught-proofing. Where appropriate, larger energy efficiency measures such as top-up loft insulation are dealt with in a second visit.

Households are also helped with energy bill problems, supported to switch to a cheaper energy tariff and assisted to apply for Warm Home Discount. Households that require further financial help are referred to IncomeMax for an entitlement check, often leading to extra benefits being identified, or debt assistance being provided.

LEAP Home Energy Advisors look for any additional vulnerability in the household during the home visit such as hazards, or signs that residents are struggling to cope in their own home. They also check that smoke alarms are working. Residents with vulnerability issues are referred for further assistance from the Council, housing association, fire service, or a local charity.